Phonograph.



stair CLINTON B; nnrr; or new roan, n. "r.

rnonoenarn.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Fat-elated July 13, 1915.

Application filed December 23, 1910. Serial No. 598,940.

To aZZ whom it may concern: Be it known that I, CLINTON B. Been, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, in the city, countyfl and. State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Phonographs, of which the followingesa specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, ivhich'forina partthereof. I I

My invention relatesto' phonographs and more particularly to the means for tran mitting sound vibrations from the record to the diaphragm.

The main object of'my invention is to provide a phonograph embodying. therein a. transmitter or vibrator member Without a pivotal support intermediate the ends thereof, the ends of said transmitter or vibrator, member being respectively adapted to. ap ply pressure to the diaphragm and to support a producer point, the means applying such pressure permitting said member or arm to be projected over a disk record.

A further object is to provide a phonograph wherein the sound vibrations will be transmitted from the record to the diaphragm through a transmitter or vibrator member and pressure will be exerted upon said arm at a single point to simultaneously tension the diaphragm. and cause that inti route contact between the reproducer point and the record which is desirable t9 induce in said transmitter vibrations correspond ing with all of the sound Waves indicated upon a record.

A still further object is to provide in c0nunction with an apparatus having the characteristics referred to immediately above, means for regulating the pressure exerted by the tensioning member or mechanism;

it. still further object is to provide a phonograph of this type wherein the ten sioning means will exert a predetermined, proportionate pressure upon the reproducer point and upon the diaphragm.

A still further object is to provide a phonograph of the character described wherein the pressure on the diaphragm may be varied Without varying the pressure upon the rcproduccr point.

A still further object is'to providea phonograph embodying therein a transmit or vibrator member subjectedto pressure actin tovard' the record and away from the diaphragm, by means of a rigid,

through said transmitter or vibrator momher, or the presence of a fulcrum about which said member oscillates in following the vertical undulations of the record.

"A still' further object is to provide a phonograph of this character wherein the volume of reproduced sound may be aug mented by merely adjusting the stylus or reproducer point.

yect'ls to provide a phonograph embodying And a still further obtherein a transmitter or vibrator member to which pressure is applied by a rigid controlling rod connected therewith. in a mannor to avoid interference with the free vibrations ofsaid transmitter or vibrator arm or member, said controlling arm being free to have vertical movement with the undulations upon a record and to have lateral movement to permit the stylus or repr0- ducer pdint to track in the spiral formed by the indicated sound Waves of said record.

The invention consists in the novel features of construction and combination of parts as are. hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed outin the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings :Figure 1' is a side elevation of a phonograph embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a detailed view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the sound transmitter and reproducing mechanisms only; Fig. 3 is a plan View of the transmitter or vibrator member and its controlling and supporting arm, one end of said transmitter or vibrator member being broken away to disclose in detail the mechanism thereunder; and Fig. i is a front view of the forward end of the transmitter or vibrator member, illustrating the manner of attachmentot sald member to its controlling arm, and the details of the mount for the stylus 0r reproducer point.

recordtable c of the usual construction and driven by any desired type of motor not shown. At cl l have shown the motor winding crank and ate the brake or retard member acting on the table 0.

The type of machine shown is especially adapted for use with a disk record, shown at f, a type of record requiring considerable clearance about the table 0 to permit the away from the table 0, which box has an outlet nipple g communicating with the horn I) through the U-shaped tube p7 a construction permitting the course. of the sound waves to be reversed, and their projection into the said amplifier'or horn, by This construction is preferred and is incidental to that simultaneous tensioning of the diaphragm and the application of pressure to the record,- which will be referred to hereinafter.

' Mounted in the sound box 9 in the usual and well knownmanner, is a flexible diaphragm 7t adapted to have transmitted thereto vibrations as indicated by a record and to develop sound waves corresponding to such vibrations. in the usual and well known manner. This diaphragm, to secure sensibility and avoid residuary vibrations,

is placed undera constant and substantially uniform tension by pressure or stress applied thereto through the stud h mounted axially thereof. 2 Those sound vibrations resulting in the development of sound waves by the dia 'phragm are transmitted to said diaphragm through the vibrator member 2', preferably composed of a close grained wood; or one having substantially no grain, such as bass wood, the transmission of the vibrations being through the body of this member as distinguished from the mechanical oscillations of the member about a fulcrum or pivots intermediate the stylus or reproducer point and the diaphragm, which is the construction now commonly used.- I have found in practice that the employment of a wooden member, such as I have described not only results in the transmission with accuracy of all of the sound waves indicated upon the record, but in such transmission in a manner to avoid the presence of'cross vibrations due to secondary vibrations set up in the member by the primary vibrations passing along same. This results in purity and softness in the reproduced tones or sounds.

avoiding all of those blasts or overtones comfor the sound vibrations. Preferably it is composed of a silken cord or thread and is itself placed in tension through the same pressure or stress resulting in the tensioning of the diaphragm. This construction not only permits the sound vibrations to be transmitted to the diaphragm but also permits the vertical and lateral oscillations of the vibrator or transmittermember i in following the vertical undulations and the spiral trend of the indicated sound waves on the record.

Rigidly secured to the free end of the member i is a metallic mount 3' which projects downwardly and forwardly of said member to give the proper line of projection to the stylus or reproducer point k, secured I stitution of' a fresh point at any time, but also permits the regulation of the extent of projection of the point with a resultant variance inthe pressure thereof upon the record and increase in the intensity of the sound vibrations and the volume of reproduced sound.

To secure that pressure or stress required to tension the diaphragm and secure the requisite intimate contact of the point k with the record, it is essential that this pressure he applied through the vibrator or transmit ter member 13 in a manner to avoid the presence of a fulcrum along the length of said member and to eliminate any possibility of interference with the vibrations passing through said member to the diaphragm.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a frame Z in which is mounted by means of a universal joint, a supporting or controlling arm at extending radially of the diaphragm immediately below the member 2' which arm is preferably composed of flat metal stock. The universal joint above referred to consists of a vertical pivot Z alined with the axis of the diaphragm ii, which pivot is straddledby the forked end of the arm m and has point bearings formed therein coiip crating with pivot screws m carried by the member m, the axis of said pivot screws being perpendicular to theaxis of said pivot Z. This universal joint transmits the movement of the arm m in any direction and thus also permits the vibrator or transmitter member 2', under the control of the record and said arm, to have that lateral traverse necessary during thereproduction of sound from a disk record.

The outer end of the arm m is provided with a .yoke m on the'divergent arms of which is mounted a split collar plate a encircling the member i adjacent to the mount j. That portion of the plate inclosing the memberi is provided with a flexiblepad a to prevent the transmission of vibrations from said member to said collar, said plate being made in two sections to facilitate its application to, or removal from said member.

Pendant from the arm m intermediate the pivot Z and the yoke m and nearer the for .mer, is a post 0 having the two-fold function of serving as a rest for the transmittento prevent the engagement of the stylus is with the table 0, and as an offset connection'for the spring 7; to secure leverage in the application of the power exerted by said spring in imparting the requisite pressure through said arm upon-the transmitter member an.

The other end of the spring p is attached to the pivot Z although, if desired, it may be attached at any other point insubstantial alinement with the axis of said diaphragm.

To permita variance in the pressure upon the diaphragm and stylus or reproducer point, I provide the post 0 with graduated notches, as shown in. the drawings, thus permitting the variance of the leverage at which said spring acts, with a resultant increase of diminution of the pressure? This adjustment permits the machine to be adapted for either parlor orconcert use by a mere adjustment of the tension of the diaphragm and the pressure on the record.

luphonographs, it is desirable, in order means of adjustable screws q, spiral springsr being interposed between the head of said screws and the plate 71 and spiral springs's being interposed between the plate at and the yoke m These springs encircle the screws g, and the lower free ends of the springs r bear upon the rear edge 0f the plate n, while the lower free ends of the springs s bear upon the forward edge of the yoke m sothat the tensioning of these springs will result in a tilting action of the plate a as to the edge thereof toward the diaphragm it, thus resulting in the application of supplemental pressure upon said arm toward said diaphragm, the pressure upon the stylus or reproducer point A: not being modified in any way by this action.

By the construction herein described, I am' not only enabled to reproduce sound waves with a stationary diaphragm, but am onabled to arrange the diaphragm in a disk machine upon a plane parallel with the plane upon which the record rotates, and am thus enabled to simultaneously apply pressure tothe record and to the diaphragm through the same agencies.

The operation of the herein described device is substantially as follows :-The table a transmitter member a sound vibrations corresponding in number and frequency to those indicated upon the record. The slight up and downward movement, or vertical oscillation of the member 2' is about an axis fixed axially below the diaphragm, so that any vibrations passing to the diaphragm must beindependent of this up and down movement These vibrations must therefore pass through the member a and the tension member. 7& to the diaphragm which at all times is subjected to constant pressure as determined by the tension; of the spring p or by such tension supplemented by that of the springs */=s. This pressure being applied to the diaphragm through the member 2', not only results in a sound conductor system, ali parts of which are synthesized, but also results in aconstant vtendency of the ciaphragm to return to normal, thus eliminating residual-y vibrations in said diaphragm and limiting the flGXLll thereof to correspond only with the vibrations passing thereto through the members i and A diaphragm so tensioned is very sensitive and is responsive to minute vibrations, thus causing thereproduced sound waves to more nearly conform: in quality and character of tone, with those sounds which are reproduced upon the record.

If it be desired to increase or diminish the volume of the sound waves reproduced, the point of engagement of the spring p with the post 0 may be lowered or raised to simult'aneously increase. or decrease the pressure upon botht'he stylus or reproducer point and the diaphragm. if the pressure upon the stylus or reproducer point has reached theu'naximum consistent with the minimum of wear upon the record, and it be desired to still further increase the volume of reproduced sound waves, the angle of the clownward projection of the member i may be decreased by tensioning the springs r s, with a resultant increase in the tension of the diaphragm h, or if desired the extent of projection of the stylus or reproducer point may be increased or diminished by adjusting it in its mount j with a. similar variance in the volume of the reproduced sound waves.

As heretofore stated, the member 2' in fol: lowing the record, rotates in its entirety about the strand h the flexibility of which permits this movement of said arm, the position of said arm relative to the diaphragm and the record being controlled by the member m which has universal movement to permit the free movement of the member 2'.

The springs r-s are provided with flexible washers which in conjunction with the pad a not only prevent the transmission of vibrations, passing through the member 2', to the said springs and to the arm m, but also prevent the sympathetic vibrations in any parts of the machine other than the said members 2' and k and the said diaphra m.

I have found in actual practice the the construction herein described results'in a machine running so smoothly as to avoid the development of practically all sounds except those emanating from the diaphragm, much of that scratching and most of those blasts, found in the ordinary phonograph, being entirely eliminated,

It is not my intention in this application to claim broadly a system in phonographs including a tensioned diaphragm and a nonpivotal transmitter member, such having been made the subject matter of another application of mine pending concurrently herewith.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent is 1. In a phonograph, means movably supporting a record, a diaphragm, a vibrator or transmitter member, one'end of which is connected with said diaphragm and the other end' of which carries a. stylus or reproducer point, a controlling arm, one end of which is universally mounted in axial alinement with the axis of said diaphragm and the other end of which is connected to, and movable with said vibrator or transmitter member at a point intermediate the ends thereof, and means exertingconstant, substantially uniform pressure upon said arm whereby pressure is applied to said arm to simultaneously tension said diaphragm andj press said stylus or reproducer point upon the record.

2. In a phonograph, means movably supporting a record, a diaphragm, a vibrator or transmitter member, one end of which is connected with said diaphragm and the other end of which carries a stylus or repro-.

ducer point, a controlling arm, one end of which is universally mounted in axial alinement with the axis of said diaphragm and the other end of which is connected to, and movable with, said vibrator or transmitter member at a point intermediate the ends thereof, a pendent post carried by said arm, and a spring extending from. said post to a point below said diaphragm whereby :1.

porting a record, a diaphragm, a vibrator or transmitter member, one end of which is connected with said diaphragm and the other end of which carries a stylus or re producer point, a controlling arm, one end of which is universally mounted in axial alinement with the axis of said diaphragm and the other end of which is connected to, and movable with, said vibrator ortransmitter member at a. point intermediate the ends thereof, a pendent post carried by said arm, and a spring extending from said post to a. point below said diaphragm whereby a constant, substantially uniform pressure is applied to said arm to sinmltaneously, tension said diaphragm and press said stylus or reproducer point into intimate engagement with the record, said post being provided with means whereby the point of en? gagement of the spring therewith may be varied to vary the leverage at which pres sure is exerted upon said arm.

4. In a phonograph, means movabl supporting a record, a diaphragm, a. vi rator or transmitter member, one end of which is connected with said. diaphragm and the other end of which carries a stylus or reproducer point, a controlling arm, one end of which is universally mounted in axial alinement with the axis of said diaphragm and the other end of which is forked to provide divergent arms adjacent to the stylus or reproducer point,.a plate having a collar encircling said vibrator or transmitter member and secured to said forked ends whereby said member is held against rotative movement and said arm and said member act in unison, and means exerting constant, substantially uniform pressure upon said arm whereby pressure is applied to said arm to simultaneously tension said diaphragm and press said stylus or reproducer point upon the record.

5. In a phonograph, means movably sup porting a record, a diaphragm, a vibrator or transmitter member, one end of which is connected with said diaphragm and the other end of which carries a stylus or reproducer point, a controlling arm, one end of which 18 universally mounted in axial alinement with the axis of said diaphragm and ,the other end of which is forked to provide plate with said jorked ends whereby said plate may be tilted to vary the angle of pro jection of the transmitter relative to said arm and said diaphragnn'and means exerting constant, substantially uniform pressure upon said arnrwhereby pressure is applied to said arm to simultaneously tension said diaphragm and press said stylus or reproducer point upon the record. 7

- 6. In a phonogra )h, means morably supporting a record, a diaphragm, a vibrator or transmitter member, one end of which is connected with said diaphragm and the other end of which carries a stylus or reprodueer point, a controlling arm, one end of which is universally mounted in axial alinement with the axis of said diaphragm and the other end of which is forked to provide divergent armsadjacent to the stylus or reproducer point, a plate having a collar encircling; said vibrator or transmitter member and secured to said forked ends whereby said member is held against rotative movement and said arm and said member act in unison, adjustment screws carried by said fork and passing through said plate, springs interposed between said screws and the top of said plate and between said plate and said fork, said springs encircling said screws, the ends of said springs bearing upon opposite sides ofsaid plate whereby the compression of said s 'irings under said screws results in a tilting action of said plate under constant pressure, and means exertingconstant, sub stantially unitlorm pressure upon said arm whereby pressure is applied to'said arm'to simultancoush tension said diaphragn'i and press said stylus or reproducer point upon the record.

7. In a phonograph, the combination with a stationary sound box having an outlet openingthereiina tubular member projectin; Vertically from said sound outlet, and a diaphragn'l within said sound box, of an incased horn having its inlet adjacent to said sound box, and a rigid tubular U- shaped member, the opposite ends of which are adapted to be re'srmctirely detach-ably connected with said first named tubular member and the inlet of said horn. whereby said last named. tubular member may be used to project the sound waves into said incased horn, or may be removed to permit the use of an exposed horn in conjunction with said first named tubular member.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signatiiire, in the presence of two witnesses, this 16th day of December, 1910.

' CLINTON B. IZ-EPP. lVitnesses:

'I. T. WENrrwoirrn, P. FRANK SONNEK. 

